Suspension Order Escalates Feud
A Brazilian Supreme Court justice has ordered the suspension of social media platform X after Elon Musk, the company’s chief, failed to appoint a legal representative in Brazil. This decision intensifies the ongoing conflict between Musk and Justice Alexandre de Moraes, which centers on issues of free speech, far-right accounts, and misinformation.
Deadline and Consequences
Justice de Moraes had given Musk a 24-hour deadline to comply with the requirement for a local representative. With the deadline unmet, de Moraes moved to block X from operating in Brazil. The platform has been without a Brazilian representative since earlier this month. De Moraes criticized Musk, accusing him of disregarding Brazilian sovereignty and judiciary.
Fines and Access Restrictions
The suspension will remain in place until X meets the court’s demands. Additionally, the court imposed a daily fine of 50,000 reais (€8,045) on individuals or companies using VPNs to bypass the ban. De Moraes initially ordered a five-day deadline for internet service providers to block X but later amended this to a 24-hour timeframe for compliance by Brazil’s telecommunications regulator, Anatel.
Government and Public Reaction
In response, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized that all investments in Brazil must adhere to local laws. He criticized Musk for not respecting the Supreme Court’s decision and asserted that foreign entities must follow Brazilian regulations. The Supreme Court is expected to review the case in full, though no date for deliberations has been set.
X’s Market Significance and Global Context
X, formerly Twitter, is significant in Brazil, with about 40 million users, or one-fifth of the population, accessing the platform monthly. This suspension is notable as X has faced bans in various authoritarian regimes and temporary suspensions in other countries to manage dissent and unrest.
SOURCE: Ref Image from The Hindu
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